Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Multiple Sclerosis: Expectations Regarding Treatment and Information, and Utility of the SEA-MS-F Questionnaire

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction is a common complaint in female with multiple sclerosis (MS), however this problem is not often considered in the medical and psychological care. AIM: To evaluate expectations regarding treatment and information for sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis using the SEA-MS-F (Sexual Dysfunction Management and Expectations Assessment in Multiple sclerosis - Female) questionnaire, and to gain an understanding of the relationship between their expectations, demographic factors and medical factors known to promote sexual dysfunction. METHODS: A prospective epidemiological, descriptive, analytical, multicentre study was carried out over 15 months on adult women suffering from MS. The SEA-MS-F was used to evaluate expectations regarding their sexuality and sexual activity. MAIN OUTCOME: Measure 87 women were included. Mean age was 47 years and the mean time since MS diagnosis was 14 years. RESULTS: 59.8% reported sexual dysfunction, but only 22.4% of the participants had raised the subject with a professional. With regards to expectations, 68% of the women wanted information about sexual dysfunction and 80% of women with sexual difficulties wanted treatment. High expectations correlated with the presence of sexual dysfunction, a regular sexual partner and with milder ambulatory handicap. There were no correlations between expectations and age, time since MS diagnosis, fatigue or being postmenopausal. The SEA-MS-F questionnaire was perceived as useful by 63.4% of the women and 90% felt that it could help doctors to treat sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: To date, the SEA-MS-F is the only questionnaire validated in women with MS for the evaluation of sexual expectations and in the present study the women felt strongly that it represented a useful way for them to introduce and then discuss the subject of their sexual dysfunction with their doctor. Audrey S-B, Marion R, Béatrice M, et al. Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Multiple Sclerosis: Expectations Regarding Treatment and Information, and Utility of the SEA-MS-F Questionnaire. Sex Med 2022;10:100502.